Russian security service FSB dismantles unlawful jail gambling ring
In a shocking turn of events, a 30-year-old inmate serving a four-year sentence for theft has been arrested on poisoning charges in Penal Colony No. 14, Novocherkassk, Rostov region. The gambling ring, equipped with multiple card decks and many casino chips, was hidden within the penal colony.
The gambling operation was reportedly motivated by the man's gambling addiction. Other potential victims might not have been so lucky, with the man's potential victims including his parents, grandparents, and other relatives.
According to the FSB, the ringleader was paying winners approximately 100,000 rubles ($1,100) a month through bank transfers, sending out transfers twice a month. The authorities seized multiple playing card decks, hundreds of casino chips, SIM cards, a mobile phone, and other equipment during the raid.
The ringleader risks an additional two years being added to his sentence due to the illegal gambling operation. The authorities have not disclosed the identities of the victims or the exact nature of the poisonings.
Meanwhile, Russia's Primorye gambling area, which includes the Tigre de Cristal Casino Resort, is struggling to achieve success. The Tigre de Cristal casino resort opened in 2015 as the first of Russia's planned casino-packed and tourist-heavy area. However, the owner of the resort, LET Group Holdings, is considering a sale of the property.
Interestingly, Russia's Primorye gambling area has not been able to attract the same level of investment as other Asian gambling hubs like Macau and Singapore. The owner of the Tigre de Cristal Casino Resort, LET Group Holdings, has not been provided in the available search results.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with gambling, even in the most unexpected of places. As the investigation continues, more details about the gambling ring and its operations are expected to come to light.
